Pempek is a traditional fish cake made with ground fish meat and tapioca. The actual origin of this dish is the city of Palembang, situated in the South Sumatra province. The origin story of pempek says that an old Palembang citizen was tired of the traditional fried or grilled fish, so he thought of an innovative way to ground the meat, mix it with tapioca flour, and deep-fry it to get a crunchy and delicious snack.

He then used to cycle through the city and sell the fish cakes to Palembang citizens. Over time, pempek was recognized as a praise-worthy snack, and today it is considered to be a traditional Indonesian delicacy. These round or rectangular cakes are usually steamed, and right before serving they are fried in vegetable oil and cut into bite-sized pieces. 

In its basic form, Indonesian-style fried chicken consists of chicken cuts, preferably bone-in pieces such as thighs and drumsticks, which are marinated in spices, then shortly braised before being fried until golden and crispy. The marinade is typically based on traditional spices such as lemongrass, galangal, turmeric, and tamarind, but since the dish is enjoyed throughout the country, it comes in numerous regional variations that may include other spices and marinades, or various additions such as grated coconut or rice flour crumbs.

All varieties of ayam goreng can be enjoyed as individual dishes, usually accompanied by rice and fresh vegetables or salads, but ayam goreng is also a common side dish at Indonesian banquet-style meals.

Tempeh mendoan is a variety of fried tempeh that hails from Purwokerto. Thin slices of tempeh—fermented soybean product—are dipped in batter that is enriched with ground coriander, sliced scallions, and garlic before they are deep-fried.

This tempeh variety is only shortly fried, creating a crispy outer layer, while the tempeh remains soft and juicy. The name of the dish stems from Banyumasan language in which mendo roughly translates as half-cooked. This tempeh is best served with sambal, other types of chili-based dips, or kecap manis—Indonesian sweet soy sauce. 

The star ingredient in this traditional dish is tempeh—a natural, soy-based product that is usually sold in blocks. It originates from Indonesia where it is used in a variety of ways. In this simple dish, thick slices of tempeh are first marinated in different combinations of liquid and spices and are then merely pan or deep-fried in oil until they become crispy.

Tempe goreng is usually served as a snack with sambal on the side, but it also makes a great accompaniment to other dishes.

Fried duck is an Indonesian delicacy that is prized for its crispiness as well as its tender, succulent meat. The duck is usually cut into pieces, boiled or steamed, and then deep-fried until crispy. Before it is fried, the pieces are generously coated in spices such as garlic, ginger, turmeric, galangal, or coriander.

Bebek goreng is eaten throughout the country and is traditionally accompanied by rice, fresh vegetables such as cucumber or cabbage, and the spicy sambal served on the side.

Gorengan is a generic name that refers to a wide group of Indonesian deep-fried snacks that can be prepared with a variety of ingredients. Whether savory or sweet, the fritters usually combine egg batter with various additions such as bananas, tempeh, tofu, sweet potatoes, or jackfruit.

The ingredients can be finely sliced and incorporated into the batter or merely dipped before they are fried. Gorengan is one of the most common Indonesian street food items that is sold at numerous markets throughout the country. Although they come in a seemingly endless number of combinations, some of the most popular varieties include pisang goreng (bananas), ubi goreng (sweet potato), aci goreng (fried tapioca dough), tahu goreng (fried tofu), and singkong goreng (fried cassava).

Risoles is a popular Indonesian snack originating from the 13th century. It has a delicate, savory flavor which makes risoles ideal for breakfast or an afternoon snack. Risoles consists of a small croquette that is typically wrapped in pastry, rolled in breadcrumbs, then deep-fried until golden brown in color.

Usually, it is filled with ingredients such as seafood, minced meat, or vegetables. Sometimes, it can be filled with sweet ingredients and served as a dessert. The name of the dish stems from the traditional Portuguese rissole. This tasty snack can be found throughout Indonesia, in numerous markets, bakeries, and on street stands.

Bakso goreng or fried meatballs is a crispy snack of Indonesian-Chinese origin. The fried or goreng version is one of the variants of bakso, a meatball preparation served in restaurants and food stalls across Indonesia.

The meatballs are typically prepared using a combination of chicken, beef, fish, shrimp, and pork, or any of those. To create bakso goreng, meatballs are prepared using ground meat and a mix of pepper, garlic, sesame oil, flour, eggs, starch, sugar, and salt.

The meatballs are deep-fried to achieve the golden brown, crispy exterior, and are usually served hot with chili sauce on the side.

Pecel lele is a Javanese delicacy consisting of deep-fried catfish paired with sambal paste and vegetables such as cucumbers, string beans, lettuce, and cabbage. Tofu, tempeh, and steamed rice are often seen on the side, depending on regional preferences.

It is recommended to pair the dish with a glass of fresh orange juice or tea. Flavorful, inexpensive, and nutritious, it is a favorite meal of numerous Javanese people who often buy it from street stands called warung tenda, which are usually open from late in the afternoon until midnight.